Treatment Options for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer caused by the exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos exposure is common in jobs such as construction workers, shipyard workers, miners and veterans as asbestos was commonly used in building materials and other products. Although the number of ways you can be exposed to mesothelioma, the disease itself is still rare and under researched. Due to this, there is not a reliable cure for mesothelioma and a number of treatments are still being tested.

Before considering treatment options for mesothelioma, after being diagnosed, it is important to find a trusted doctor that is right for your case. The choice can be affected by the stage at which the cancer has progressed, the location of the cancer in the body, and overall age and health of the patient.

If the cancer has not spread outside the chest, surgery can be an option for some patients. Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and the surgery either removes the tumor or, in more serious procedures, parts of the lung itself is removed. Most long term survivors of mesothelioma undergo one form of the surgery undergoing radiation after the procedure. Although higher survival rates can be a result of the surgeries, many risks are associated with it. The complication rate of the surgeries is high and can even cause death in the patient. The surgeries do also not guarantee that the tumor will not grow back with some patients’ reappearing after the surgery was performed. It is a risky procedure but as many patients experience success, some of those diagnosed with mesothelioma see this as a viable treatment option.

Chemotherapy and radiation are a common treatment option for those diagnosed with mesothelioma. Chemotherapy uses oral or infusion based medication to kill cancerous cells in the body. The medication may also be directly infused into your lungs, abdomens, or other affected parts of the body. Although it does not provide a cure for mesothelioma, it is associated with a longer survival rate in patients. Radiation is another treatment option that is still being explored and tested for overall effectiveness. Both chemotherapy and radiation do not cure mesothelioma but improve quality of life and pain in the patient. View this website to learn more about mesothelioma and treatment options…